Here are Derrick Gunn’s games to watch for Week 13 of the NFL season:
Bills at Cowboys (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., CBS)
Nobody really thought Buffalo would have eight wins at this point of the season, but the fact of the matter is they have a chance to go to the playoffs for the second time in three years. The Bills aren’t getting much respect because their win total has been compiled against teams with losing records other than Tennessee. The best way to earn some respect is to go out and beat Dallas on the road. That may sound good, but Jerry Jones is not a happy man and he’s letting all the coaches and players know about it. Dallas had New England on the ropes and let the Patriots off. Buffalo may stampede into Dallas, but the ‘Boys will be having Bills on a turkey day platter.
49ers at Ravens (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)
How in the world did the networks allow this possible Super Bowl matchup to stay at 1 p.m.? This should be a real backyard brawl. Both play fast and physical. Both like to run the ball. Both pride themselves in their defensive prowess and both are coming off impressive outings. The Ravens ran all over the Rams, and the Niners suffocated the Packers. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is playing out of this world. Baltimore has won seven in row. The Niners are 5-0 on the road. Jimmy Garoppolo has played well, but don’t bet against “Action Jackson” and the Ravens at home.
Raiders at Chiefs (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
Things were going so well for the Raiders until all of a sudden they ran into a resurgent Jets squad and got embarrassed, ending their win streak at three. Maybe the weather had something to do with Derek Carr’s lethargic performance. Carr is 2-9 career wise in games that start with the temperature below 50 degrees. The Chiefs are coming off a bye and clinging to a one-game lead over Oakland in the AFC West. K.C. is hoping that mercurial wideout Tyreek Hill, who’s been dealing with a hamstring issue, will be available. Oh, did I mention that the game time temp is supposed to be 40 degrees and windy? That’s the sign I needed. K.C. wins to put a little distance between the two.
Patriots at Texans (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
Against Dallas, Tom Brady had un-Brady like numbers: 17 of 37 190 yards and one TD. And yet somehow, the Pats found a way to win. That’s what they do better than any team in the league. Their offense still can’t seem to find a measure of consistency, but their defense has been rock solid and doesn’t make many mistakes. Houston survived a battle for first place in the AFC South with the Colts. The Texans have the offensive weapons to do damage but figuring out the Pat’s D is easier said than done. New England knows they have to keep winning for home field advantage. Bill Belichick will dial up something to rattle Houston, and New England will notch its 11th win of the season.
Vikings at Seahawks (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
The Week 13 capper is a matchup that has NFC playoff seeding implications. The Vikings had a bye week to refuel and are ready to roll. Say what you want about Kirk Cousins, but he’s been balling. He’s completing 70.6 percent of his passes with 21 TDs, three INTs and a 114.8 QB rating. 0ver his last five outings, Cousins has 12 TDs and no interceptions. Meanwhile, there’s a guy named Russell Wilson whose stats have him in the MVP conversation. The Seahawks need to tighten up their offensive line play. The Eagles sacked Wilson six times. On the other side, the Hawks best pass rusher, Jadeveon Clowney, missed the Eagles game with a hip injury and didn’t practice Wednesday. The extra day could help his situation. Both teams know what’s at stake. The Hawks, with the help of their 12th man, should have the upper hand.
NFL
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